Noida SEZ to touch Rs 10,000-cr export in 2 yrs

The country's second-largest functional SEZ aims to generate over 50,000 jobs in the next two years.

The Noida Special Economic Zone, the country's second-largest functional SEZ, is aiming to touch exports of Rs 10,000 crore and generate over 50,000 jobs in the next two years, a top official of the zone said.

"We exported goods and services worth Rs 6,893 crore last year and are hopeful of achieving the Rs 10,000-crore mark in the next two years," Noida SEZ Development Commissioner SC Panda said.

The 310-acre SEZ exports gems and jewellery, leather products, garments, software, electronic products and engineering goods and employs about 30,000 skilled and non- skilled workers in its 170 units. Noida SEZ is the second- largest among 10 zones set up by the central government, the first being SEEPZ SEZ in Mumbai with Rs 11,000-crore turnover.

About the action plan to achieve the target, he said: "We have maintained the high export growth in the past and would try to sustain it as most of our units are trying to increase their export target." Panda said 38 units that were earlier closed down due to some problems would be operational soon as many exporters have shown interest in operating from the zone.

"Though gems and jewellery segment dominates the zone, recently we were approached by new players like manufacturers of anti-theft devices for cars, life saving devices in emergency situations and likewise," he said.

However, the unit approval committee would examine the proposals before giving nod to new companies. Technical viability, marketing tie-ups and financial position of these exporters would be looked into to ensure that the units meet the criteria, he said.